During the COVID-19 outbreak there was a lot of talk about keeping our seniors safe. This is great. We all need to do more to ensure the safety of the ageing population. Many of our elders are in nursing homes and long term care facilities which can leave them vulnerable to abuse and neglect.

Nursing home abuse occurs when someone has willfully or intentionally caused harm to another. This can be physical, emotional or sexual abuse. Neglect occurs when there has been a failure on the part of the facility to provide adequate care to your loved one. This can include improper medications or dosages, unsanitary conditions, malnourishment or dehydration, failure to provide adequate medical treatment, failure to provide adequate supervision, or even a failure to provide basic needs.

Under the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007, S.O. 2007, c. 8, every resident of a long term care home or nursing home has specific rights set out in the Resident’s Bill of Rights. This includes the right to be protected from abuse and the right to be protected from neglect.

Unfortunately, both abuse and neglect occur and often go unreported. Some warning signs that your loved one may be at risk are weight loss, personality changes, poor personal hygiene, uncleanliness of the facility, medication errors, unsafe conditions such as poor lighting or trip hazards in the resident’s room, falls or injuries, and care plans that are not being adhered to.

​Seniors are and remain a vulnerable sector of our population that require our protection regardless of the current crisis. If you think your loved one has been the victim of abuse or neglect feel free to contact me to discuss your legal options.